Collectively, Canon's Cinema prime lens family delivers a wide range of the most important choices in focal lengths to address a myriad of creative digital cinematography choices. All six Canon Cinema prime lenses provide a full-frame 36mm x 24mm image circle for full compatibility with the Canon EOS-1D C, EOS C500, EOS C300 Digital Cinema cameras, the EOS 5D Mark III and EOS-1D X DSLR cameras, the EOS C100 Digital Video Camera and EF-mount cameras made by other manufacturers. The lenses also feature consistent color balance, minimal focus breathing, water-resistant rubber gaskets, and an 11-blade aperture diaphragm to help achieve creative depth-of-field manipulation and pleasing "bokeh" effects. The six Canon Cinema prime lenses are also designed to facilitate production with uniform stepless gear-positioning rings for iris and focus, with an identical 300§ smooth rotation angle on the focus ring. These control rings - switchable from feet to metric labeling - maintain just the right amount of resistance with consistent operating torque. Lens barrels are engraved with easy-to-read scale markings, and consistent 114mm front lens diameters can accommodate screw-on filters and other accessories.

"As with all Canon Cinema prime lenses, the new Canon CN-E35mm T1.5 L F lens has been crafted to meet the creative requirements of the most discerning cinematographers, directors and producers," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. "Filmmakers indicated a need for this lens in our lineup and with its launch, we now offer six cinema prime lenses covering some of the most important focal lengths."

Canon EF Mount AdvantagesAll Canon Cinema prime lenses feature a genuine Canon EF-mount with electronic contacts that interface with corresponding contacts on Canon cameras for direct communication between each device. This communication allows lens data - including F-numbers - to be displayed in the viewfinder. Both the F-number and the lens model name are also recorded in the camera's video file as metadata. The new upcoming firmware announced today for the Canon Cinema EOS C500, EOS C300 and EOS C100 cameras will provide Canon proprietary features, such as the Peripheral Illumination Correction function, for the CN-E14mm, 24mm, 50mm, 85mm and 135mm lenses and is scheduled to be available by the end of 2013. Such features are scheduled to be available for the new CN-E35mm lens in 2014.

Focal Length

CN-E14mm

CN-E24mm

CN-E35mm

CN-E50mm

CN-E85mm

CN-E135mm

Maximum Aperture

T3.1

T1.5

T1.5

T1.3

T1.3

T2.2

Image Circle

Full Frame 35mm

Full Frame 35mm

Full Frame 35mm

Full Frame 35mm

Full Frame 35mm

Full Frame 35mm

Angle of View**

104.3°x 81.2°

73.7°x53.1°

54.4°x 37.8°

39.6°x27.0°

23.9°x16.1°

15.2°x10.2°

M.O.D.***

0.2m

0.3m

0.3m

0.45m

0.95m

1.0m

Focus Rotation Angle

300º

300º

300º

300º

300º

300º

Outer Diameter

114mm

114mm

114mm

114mm

114mm

114mm

Length

94mm

101.5mm

101.5mm

101.5mm

101.5mm

116mm

Weight

2.65 lbs

2.65 lbs

2.43 lbs

2.42 lbs

2.87 lbs

3.09 lbs

Image Circle

Full Frame 35mm

Full Frame 35mm

Full Frame 35mm

Full Frame 35mm

Full Frame 35mm

Full Frame 35mm

Iris Blade

11-blade

11-blade

11-blade

11-blade

11-blade

11-blade

Optical Quality

4K

4K

4K

4K

4K

4K

Canon Cinema Zoom LensesThe versatility of image-capture options using Canon EOS Cinema Cameras can be further extended with Canon's Cinema Zoom lenses (the CN-E14.5-60mm T2.6 wide-angle and the CN-E30-300mm T2.95-3.7 telephoto) and compact Cinema Zoom lenses (the CN-E15.5-47mm T2.8 wide-angle and CN-E30-105mm T2.8 telephoto). All four lenses are available in both EF- and PL-mount versions; the mount can be switched at a Canon service facility in the United States for added flexibility. Almost all of Canon's EF Series photographic lenses can also be used with Canon Cinema EOS Cameras, including Image Stabilized zoom, tilt-shift and macro lenses.

Pricing and AvailabilityThe Canon CN-E35mm T1.5 L F Cinema prime lens is expected to be available in December 2013 for an estimated retail price of $5,200. For a visual representation of the power of Canon's Cinema optics, please visit: pro.usa.canon.com/cineoptics.

Planet5D has an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how Doug Urquhart combined timelapses and RAW video to create "Eye of the Beholder" seen above. The video is quite impressive as is the behind-the-scenes material, too.

Note that this comparison requires a heavy file download. To make the primary review pages more mobile friendly, the color block tests are now residing on their own pages. Those viewing from slow or mobile connections can now choose whether or not to view the high bandwidth-requiring pages while reading a DSLR review. I will include image quality commentary on both pages with instructions on how to skip the commentary on the review page if the comparison page was viewed.

Amazon has the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM Lens available for $1,299.00. Unfortunately, there's a catch - it's currently out of stock. However, you can purchase the lens now, wait for the lens to come into stock and save $200.00 over the going rate. (thanks Derek)